Russian Military in Syria

Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
1848 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

RS1242

Incident date

September 9, 2016

Location

التح, al Tah, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.539525, 36.725383 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child died and six or seven other civilians were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bennesh in Idlib, according to local media.

Sources reported that the strike hit Fatima Al-Zahra mosque. The Shaam News Network reported that the mosque was destroyed in the attack – while reports put the number on non-combatants wounded at either six or seven.

Atfalalsham named one child, as killed by “warplanes”.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the girl died in “alleged Russian shelling”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rama Jahjah
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • 'The girl Rama Jahjah died in alleged Russian warplanes missiles fired on Bennesh city in Idlib governorate, September 9, 2016.' (via SN4HR)
  • Footage of the destruction in Benesh following suspected Russian attacks (Youtube via SNN)
  • Rubble and destruction at Fatima AL-Zahra mosque in Bennesh - the consequence of suspected Russian warplane shelling (via Smart)
  • Photographs of Bennesh at night, alleged Russian warplane missiles caused fires and significant material destruction (Tweet via @baladinetwork)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Rama Jahjah, the child killed in suspect Russian warplane attacks on Bennesh (via @Atfalalsham) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive)
  • Destruction of the Fatima Al-Zahra’a Mosque, the source did not apportion blame and referred only to "warplanes" (Tweet via @eldorar1)
  • The White Helmets search at night through the rubble in Bennesh following suspected Russian shelling (Tweet via @smart)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1275 CS315

Incident date

September 17, 2016

Location

تل حسان, Tall Hassan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.0599239, 37.8514194 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One named civilian died and between three and 15 others were injured in an airstrike on Tall Hassan’s main mosque, near Aleppo – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia, the Assad regime or the US-led Coalition were to blame.

Lens Young Manbij reported that “A short while ago a Coalition raid on the village of Tal Hassan near the town of Maskana killed Hamdi al Saleh and seriously injured his wife, daughter and granddaughter as well as destroying a mosque and a house in the village.”

However VDC and the Syrian Network blamed Mr al-Saleh’s death on the regime. But LCCSY was among other sources that blamed Russia.

Halab News put the death toll at three with 15 more wounded.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Hamdi al Saleh
Adult male killed
Wife of Hamdi al Saleh
Adult female injured
Daughter of Hamdi al Saleh
Adult female injured
Granddaughter of Hamdi al Saleh
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Thiqa news reports the death of one man and injury of 3 others following warplane shelling on Tall Hassan village. 17th September 2016
  • Aleppo 24 reports the death of one man and injury of his family following air raids on the village of Tall Hassan in the western countryside of Maskana. 17th September 2016
  • LCCSY reports the death of one man and injury of 3 of his family following alleged Russian raids on Tall Hassan village. 17th September 2016
  • Aleppo 24 reports the death of a civilian and the injury of his family following air raids on the village of Tall Hassan. 17th September 2016
  • Amawi news reports the death of one man and the injury of three members of his family following alleged Russian raids on Tall Hassan. 17th September 2016
  • Halab Today reports the death of Hamdi al Saleh and the injury of his wife, daughter and grand daughter in addition to the destruction of a house and a mosque following air raids targeting the village of Tall Hassan. 17th September 2016
  • Baladi Network reports the death of one man and injury of others following an alleged regime raid on the village of Tall Hassan. 17th September 2016
  • Shahba Press reports the death of one man and several injuries following an air raid on Tall Hassan. 17th September 2016

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCV965912
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Sept. 17, 2016, in Tall Hassan, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3052/CS315 37SCV965912

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 16th-18th 2016, the Coalition publicly reported no strikes in the vicinity of Manbij, Aleppo.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1307

Incident date

September 22, 2016

Location

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.169667, 37.040255 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 44-year-old woman, was killed by warplanes striking the town of Khan al Assal, west of Aleppo, local reports claimed – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

@ShahbaPress tweeted that “Russian occupation aircraft bombed the town of Kafr Dael phosphorus, rockets and Khan Al Assal town of Khan in the countryside west of Aleppo.” ArabsToday said two children were wounded as well.

However, other sources claimed the aircraft was the regime’s. @LCCSY tweeted that Assad’s helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the site. Baladi and Step both confirmed that barrel bombs were used, but did not say what aircraft were involved.

@SyrianArwad suggested the site bombed was a power plant.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima Taha Za’rur
44 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The contested airstrikes on Khan Al Assal, Aleppo reportedly also included cluster bombs (via Baladi News Network)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1339

Incident date

September 24, 2016

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.180995, 37.151892 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local reports between three and 19 people including two children and one woman were killed in airstrikes on the Al Ferdos neighbourhood of Aleppo. Up to dozens more were reported wounded. While most sources blamed Russia, the involvement of the Syrian regime can’t be ruled out, as according to the Shaam News Network, “Russian and Assad enemy planes continue their intense air strikes on the city of Aleppo and its countryside using all kinds of clonic weapons and phosphorous and cluster spatial and explosive barrels” – including on Al Ferdos.

Zamanmasdar was among several sources that gave the lowest death count of three.

But Syrians News, Syria2011, the Shaam News Network, Qasioun and Al Buraq said that as many as 19 people died – though these sources didn’t all name the culprit.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights added that a woman was killed in the attack: “At least four people including a woman died due to alleged Russian warplanes firing missiles on Al Ferdos neighbourhood in Aleppo city.” In a subsequent report, it added that two children also died – and raised the death count to “eight, at least”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fahd Ashtar
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 19
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • A demolished building in Al Ferdos, the impact of alleged Russian attacks on September 24th (via Smart)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmets remove civilians from the rubble in Al Ferdos. The human cost of alleged Russian shelling, September 24th (via Erem)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian carried away from destruction in Al Ferdos following suspected Russian attacks, September 24th (via Arem)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmet rescue team finds victims under the rubble in Al Ferdos - the impact of alleged Russian shelling, September 24th (via Arem)
  • A local person or White Helmet member searches through the rubble in Al Ferdos following alleged Russian shelling, September 24th (via Erem)
  • A street in Al Ferdos reveals evidence of alleged Russian shelling on September 24th (via SHRC)
  • Aleppo_neighborhoods_rupture_by_Russian_and_Syrian_forces_en (1)

    A report entitled 'Aleppo neighbourhoods rupture by Russian and Syrian forces' details the events at Al Halak on September 25th (PDF via SN4HR) [English]

  • Aleppo_neighborhoods_rupture_by_Russian_and_Syrian_forces (1)

    A report entitled 'Aleppo neighbourhoods rupture by Russian and Syrian forces' details the events at Al Zabadia on September 25th (PDF via SN4HR) [Arabic]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 19
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1371

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Location

كقر بطنا, Kafr Batna, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.514529, 36.374577 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between eight and nine civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Kafr Batna in Eastern Ghouta.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at three including one woman with “others” wounded. According to Enabbaladi, “nine people, including seven children, were killed as a result of the targeting of a residential area in the city.”

KafrbatnaCity2011 identified eight victims by name while one more victim who couldn’t be identified.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Sidra Abdel-Alim,
Child female killed
Mohammed Abdul-Alim
Child male killed
Jojo Abdul Alim
Child killed
Ola Abdul-Alim
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Abdul Razzaq al-Haristani
Age unknown male killed
Khayr Muta’a
Age unknown female killed
Maryam Derkzali
Age unknown female killed
Ngham Rabie
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (4–7 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • A girl is being carried away from the destruction caused by the contested bombs in Kafr Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Skynewsarabia)
  • Injured or killed civilian is being carried away in the aftermath of the contested strikes targeting Karf Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Enabbaladi)
  • An injured boy is being carried away follwing the contested airstrikes that targeted Kafra Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Eldorar)
  • Chaotic aftermath in the town of Katna Bar follwing the contested airstrikes, 30th September 2016. (via Eldorar)
  • An injured child is being carried away follwing the contested airstrikes that targeted Kafra Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Eldorar)
  • Aftermath after the contested airstrikes that targeted Kafra Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Eldorar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the contested strikes on Kafr Batna showing the widespread destruction and injury it caused, 30th September 2016. (via Step News)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes targeting Kafr Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Douma.Revolution.2011)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes targeting Kafr Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Douma.Revolution.2011)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes targeting Kafr Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Douma.Revolution.2011)
  • Aftermath of the contested strikes targeting Kafr Batna, 30th September 2016. (via Douma.Revolution.2011)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (4–7 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1405

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

الموحسن, Mohassein, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2257487, 40.3109038 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians including a mother and her child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Mohassein in Deir Ezzor, according to sources on the ground.

According to Deir Ezzor 24, “Russian warplanes targeted civilian homes with cluster bombs of Al Abad which led to the martyrdom of two people, and wounding a large number of civilians as a result of the explosion of the cluster bombs”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hajja Maha
Adult female wife of Mot’eb Ramadan killed
And the son of Walid Al-Ayfan
Child male killed
Al Haj Salem al Mukhalaf
Adult male an elderly man, who later died from wounds sustained in this event. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Hajja Maha, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via MousaAlomar)
  • "Warplanes with cluster bombs target Al-Labed street in Mohssein in eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor." (via, Deirezzor24)
  • Al Haj Salem al Mukhalaf, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via Euphrates Post)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1437

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Location

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.617076, 36.783132 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, a mother and her two children, were reported killed in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Jarjanaz.

Shahba reported: “Two children were killed with their mom in a Russian warplanes shelling in Jarjanaz and others wounded.” Halab Today TV published a similar report.

All of the other sources reported that a woman and her two children were killed in the strike.

LCCSY, for example, wrote: “a woman and two children were martyred and dozens of others wounded due to Russian airstrikes with highly explosive rockets on Jarjanaz town east of Maarat Al Numan.”

However, Qasioun blamed the regime for the three deaths.

Anasanas84 tweeted that a man was found alive under the rubble, but his wife and two children died in the attack. The source added that the victims were displaced from Soran in Hama.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • The immediate aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Jarjanaz, Oct 12th (via Smart News)
  • The immediate aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in in Jarjanaz, Oct 12th (via All4Syria)
  • The immediate aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via Syrian News Desk)
  • A crater formed by an airstrike. (via Omar Alwan1)
  • Footage showing the damage to civilian homes in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via Maara Media Centre)
  • Damaged vehicles due to the alleged raid. (via Alidddd99)
  • Civilians stand by the crater which was formed by the alleged missile which hit Jarjanaz. (via Alidddd99)
  • Civilians stand by the crater which was formed by the alleged missile which hit Jarjanaz. (via Alidddd99)
  • Civilians stand by the crater which was formed by the alleged missile which hit Jarjanaz. (via Halab Today)
  • Footage showing the scale of destruction to civilian homes. (via EMC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jarjanaz (بنان), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.617076, 36.783132. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1469

Incident date

October 16, 2016

Location

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.212011, 37.171227 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians died in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Maysar neighbourhood, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though one said that the Syrian regime was active in Aleppo’s skies on this day, meaning its involvement in this casualty event can’t be ruled out.

Halab News listed seven unidentified civilians as killed in a Russia strike. Shahba Press was among other sources also blaming Russia and putting the death count at seven.

However, according to Zamanalwasl, “warplanes of the regime and its Russian ally intensified its air raids on the neighborhoods in the eastern section of Aleppo”, including an Al Maysar. It also said seven civilians died in the attack.

A number of other sources didn’t identify the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]